So what if you can't find someone to take care of your animals for a week? I have three cats and no guarantee that I'll have a housesitter (if I am even able to go at this point). I'd feel awfully nervous about just stocking up a bunch of food and water for them and leaving them to their own devices. Has anyone had any experience with leaving their animals unattended for such a long time? This is the only thing that worries me about leaving for burning man. Probably a silly topic for a thread but I'm sure other people have the same issue as well.

What if there's a fire/earthquake/burgler/twister/injury? I'd get someone. Any neighborhood kids? Admittedly there's a trust issue there, but they'd be glad to get the money and would be cheaper than many others.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

Thanks H.G. I'm sure that was very important and relevant...if you aren't actually going to contribute why even bother replying? I am genuinely concerned about the well-being of my animals. Thanks for making fun of me.

Last edited by XnightmarekittenX on Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

theCryptofishist wrote:What if there's a fire/earthquake/burgler/twister/injury? I'd get someone. Any neighborhood kids? Admittedly there's a trust issue there, but they'd be glad to get the money and would be cheaper than many others.

Yeah I know I constantly think about what could happen when I am away even if just for a day, the animals themselves are very well behaved. But there is only one person I trust in my house when I'm gone and I'm not sure she will be available

Im not saying I can't take a joke I was just trying to get a little information from fellow burners who may have had the same problem in the past and instead it seems like I am just being ridiculed for even having the pets in the first place.

MyDearFriend wrote:You might have had better luck posting your question in the Q&A Tips and Tricks subforum, where we have a more serious approach.

This here is a tongue-in-cheek, anything goes kind of area...

Ah thank you I wasn't sure where to post this sort if not really burning man related question but it seems like everyone who replied seriously just has the same thing to say which was also my preferred plan in the first place being 'get someone to watch your house.' I was just curious if anyone who hadn't had the ability to find a way to have someone look after their pets had any luck with other options. Thanks though. I don't think I'll bother starting another thread.

I know people with cats and they just put plenty of food and water out and have a couple automatic cleaning litter boxes and the cats are fine. I will be dropping my dogs off with friends but if that fell through they would go to the kennel.

SquirrelHead wrote:I know people with cats and they just put plenty of food and water out and have a couple automatic cleaning litter boxes and the cats are fine. I will be dropping my dogs off with friends but if that fell through they would go to the kennel.

You have to take the jokes with information. It's more fun that way.

Hehe unicorn kitty! Yeah that's what I was thinking is cats are a little more self-sufficient than dogs, dogs are more suited for kennels whereas I can imagine the experience would be rather traumatic for a cat.

I know that there are a lot of people who will come walk your dog during the day for around $15-30 depending on where you live. There are some techs at my local vet that do this. I imagine that they would be willing to come by and check on the cats every other day for the same price or a little less. You might ask at the vets office. Just a thought.

5280MeV wrote:I know that there are a lot of people who will come walk your dog during the day for around $15-30 depending on where you live. There are some techs at my local vet that do this. I imagine that they would be willing to come by and check on the cats every other day for the same price or a little less. You might ask at the vets office. Just a thought.

I have four cats, two who live upstairs and two who live downstairs, and they don't mingle well. They can get by, but it really is hard on them being without snuggles. I have had a house sitter from hell, and good house sitters, and slack ones who weren't bad, just not on top of things. And yes, many trust issues. All my teenaged relatives have grown up and gotten lives! Kennels are a bad choice for cats, but I agree, you may want to hire a professional to check in on them if there is no other option.

Ugly Dougly wrote:I am honestly not sure what kind of helpful reply you envisioned. Find a neighbor or a relative, or board the critter at the vets or at a big-box pet store. It's not fucking rocket surgery.

Are you just trying to vent your anxiety?

Either you will find someone to look after your animal or not. Either you will go to Burning Man this or you will not. It's up to you. Take some fucking responsibility.

The Man, on the other hand, will burn, that much is certain.

No anxiety, just wondering what experiences other people have had with the same situation. It is likely I will have a friend to watch my house but nothing is ever certain and I was just trying to see if in the event that my animals are unsupervised if anyone had any helpful information. I'm not trying to cause any trouble just thought I'd get a second opinion.

AntiM wrote:Simon forgot the "serious answer first then snark" guidelines.

I have four cats, two who live upstairs and two who live downstairs, and they don't mingle well. They can get by, but it really is hard on them being without snuggles. I have had a house sitter from hell, and good house sitters, and slack ones who weren't bad, just not on top of things. And yes, many trust issues. All my teenaged relatives have grown up and gotten lives! Kennels are a bad choice for cats, but I agree, you may want to hire a professional to check in on them if there is no other option.

Why can't you board them at a kennel "cat hotel"? You can use your vet or I bet there's good ones near the airport in your city. No strangers in your house and liscenced professionals keep your kitties happy and healthy.

Granted I'm a dog person but it amazes you cat people leave your pets alone for longer than overnight.

"It's impossible." said pride.
"It's risky." said experience.
"It's pointless." said reason.
"Give it a try." whispered the heart.